Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan Plays Coy About New Album Title

A whole lot has happened since Deep Purple released its last studio album, 2005's 'Rapture of the Deep' -- and now that the band has finally wrapped the recording of its next collection of new material, singer Ian Gillan is ready to talk. About some things, anyway.

In a new interview with Classic Rock Magazine, Gillan revealed that the new LP, the band's 19th studio set, is scheduled for release in April 2013, and will include 13 tracks; he even gave away a handful of song titles, including 'Out of Hand,' 'Hell to Pay,' 'Weirdistan,' 'Uncommon Man,' and 'Above and Beyond.' The latter number includes a tribute to founding keyboard player Jon Lord, who passed away in July and is referenced in the line "Souls having touched are forever entwined."

But one thing Gillan apparently isn't ready to discuss is the new album's title -- as he put it in the interview, "There’s a big question mark over the name at the moment. And possibly an exclamation mark as well. You can read what you like into what I’ve just said. All will become clear -- as mud -- later on. That’s all I’m allowed to say. The question mark and the exclamation mark might get you intrigued."

Mud and punctuation: Got it. It's perhaps worth noting that the latter-day incarnation of the band, anchored by former Dixie Dregs and Kansas guitarist (as well as solo artist and former airline pilot) Steve Morse, has been known to flash its sense of humor in album titles like 'Purpendicular' and 'Bananas,' so perhaps Gillan is alluding to a fresh round of funny business. We'll just have to wait and see.